Washing-machine mechanism.



H. c, DOMAN. WASHING MACHINE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. 1916.

Patented Sept. 18, 1917.

| 29 Y ATTURNEYE HEB/MAN C. DO MAN, OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN.

WASHING-MACHINE MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 18, 1917.

Application filed March 29, 1916. Serial No. 87,400.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN C. DOMAN, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Oshkosh, in the county of Winnebago and State of Wisconsin,have invented new and useful Improvements in lVashing-Machine Mechanism;of which the following is a description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machine mechanism.

It is one of the objects of the present 1nvention to provide a washingmachine mechanism for changing a rotary movement of a driving shaft intoa rocking and reciprocal movement of a pounder shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washing machinemechanism having a. horizontal driving shaft and a'vertical pounder inwhich the parts coact to permit the easy disengagement of the drivingmeans from the driven means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washing machinemechanism in which a yielding connection between the horizontal and thevertical shafts performs the two fold function of transmitting a rotarymovement into a rocking and reciprocal movement and also serves to holdtwo shaft sections separably connected together.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washing rna chinemechanism which is of simple construction, is strong and durable and iswell adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of theimproved washing machine mechanism and its parts and combinations as setforth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference charactersindicate the same parts in all of the views: 45

Figure 1 is a top view of a portion of a washing machine on which theimproved mechanism is mounted, part of the mechanism being shown insection;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front detail view of the washing machine and mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an end detail view of one of the shafts; and

Fig.6 is a detail view of the cross head. Referring to the drawing thenumeral 5 indicates the tub or receptacle which is provided with a topportion 6 and a hinged cover or portion 7. The receptacle 5 ispreferably formed of metal and is of rectangular shape and the hingedcover 7 is adapted to be opened to remove or place clothes within thetub. 'An angular bracket 8 mounted on the top and side portions ofthetub is provided with an upper horizontally extending bearing 9 and avertically extending slotted side portion 10. A horizontal driving shaftsection 11 extends through the upper bearing 9 and on its outer endportion is provided witha sprocket Wheel 12 and a cranked arm 13. Thecranked arm 13 is provided for manually rotating the shaft and thesprocket wheel is used for transmitting motion to a fly Wheel 14 whichis journaled on a short stud shaft 15 engaging the slotted portion ofthe bracket 8. This stud shaft 15 is formed with a collar 16 which bearsagainst the bracket on each side of the slot and a nut 17 threaded onthe inner end of the stud shaft and bearing against the inner face ofthe bracket adjustably clamps the shaft in position. A small sprocketwheel or pinion 18 also journaled on the stud shaft is attached to andturns with the fly wheel and has a chain connection 19 with the sprocketwheel 12 of the driving shaft 11 and is driven thereby. The elongatedslot in connection with the stud shaft provides for taking up wear ofthe sprocket chain by increasing the distance between the two shafts.

The-inner end of the driving shaft 11 terminates at a point to permitthe hinged cover to be swung to open position without striking againstthe said shaft and has mounted thereon a recessed clutch'member 20. Therecess 21 of said clutch member is ofrectangular form and is slightlytapering longitudinally with relation to the shaft to perm-it the easyentrance of the complementaryclutch member 22. The clutch member and thes; rocket wheel also serve as collars on the driving shaft and arepositioned to bear against the opposite end portions of the upperbearing 9 to prevent endwise movement ofsaid shaft. This last mentionedclutch member is mounted on the outer end of a supplemental drivingshaft section 23 which is in axial alinement with the driving shaft 11and is rotated thereby. The supplemental driving shaft '23 is journaledin the upper bearing 24:- of a bracket 25 which is mounted on the hingedcover or portion and is moved therewith. The bracket 25 extends to apoint adjacent the central portion of the cover and is provided with twoupstanding guide rods 26 on which is slidably mounted areciprocal crosshead 27. A reciprocal pounder or Work shaft 28 having a pounder 29within the tub and mounted on the lower end of the shaft extendsvertically through the hinged cover and the bracketand between theupstanding guide rods and a't its upper end is rockingly connected tothe cross head 27 by a horizontally extending arm 30. The inner or hubend of the arm extends into the elongated recess 3l'of the cross head 27and the upper end portion of the pounder shaft extends revolnbly throughthe cross head and through the interposed hub portion of the arm and ispinned to .said arm. This construction permits the arm to rock thepounder shaft while it is being reciprocated vertically. The outer endportion of the arm 30 is formed with a spherical end or ball 32 whichenters a socket 33 provided in the outer end of an arm 34 pivotallymounted on the inner end of the supplemental shaft 23. The pivotal arm34 is formed with a recess 35 into which extends an arm 36 which ismounted fast on the in-- her end portion of the supplemental shaft 23 bythe same pin 37 which pivotally connects the arm 34 to said shaft. Acoiled spring 38 interposed between the two arms 34 and 36 and extendinginto a recess 39 performs the twofold function of holding the socketedmember in engagement with the ball shaped end of the pounder shaft armand also to yieldingly hold the two clutch members operatively inengagement with each other. It will be noted that the distance betweenthe complementary clutch member 22 and the arm 36 is greater than thelength of the bearing 24 to permit the reciprocation of the supplementalshaft in engaging and disengaging the complementary clutch members.

I The bearing 23 is formed in two parts and the space 23 between theparts permits a washer 40 to be mounted on the shaft and which washerbearsv inwardly against a transverse pin 41 extending through the shaft.

A clutch control push and pull member 42 slidably extending throughacasing 43 covering the portions of the mechanism is provided with abifurcated wedge portion 44 on its lower end which straddles thesupplemental shaft between the washer and one of the parts of thebearing 24 and forces said supplemental shaft inwardly against thepressure of the coiled spring 38 and dis-.

engages the clutch members. A coiled spring 44 having its upper endconnected to the casing and its lower end connected to the controlmember holds the said control member in its upper position when the twoshafts are in clutching engagement. The pivotal arm 34 and the coiledspring 38 compensate for the varying distance between the said pivotalarm and the pounder shaft during the reciprocal and rocking movement ofsaid shaft.

While a cranked handle is shown for turning the drive shaft it is to beunderstood that the shaft may be rotated by power means if desired.

In operation the turning of the crank arm will reciprocate and rock thepounder shaft and the fly wheel connection will tend to steady and givea more uniform motion to the parts. If it is desired to raise the coverof the tub it is only necessary to push downwardly on the control memberto separate the clutch member and the cover may then be swung upwardlyto open position. After the cover is swung to closed position and it isdesired to further operate the pounder the clutch member is pulledupwardly to permit the spring of the pivotal arm to force the slidableclutch member into engagement with the other clutch member and the partsmay then be operated as before by turning the hand crank.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the washing machinemechanism is of-very simple construction and is well adapted for thepurpose described.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A washing machine mechanism, com

.prising a work shaft, a two part driving shaft extending at an anglewith relation thereto, a resilient and cranked connection between thedriving shaft and the work shaft, clutch members carried by therespective parts of the two part shaft for operatively connecting thetwo parts of the shaft together, and means for disconnecting said shaftparts.

2. A washing machine mechanism, comprlsing a work shaft, a two partdrlving shaft extending at an angle with relation thereto, clutchmembers operatively and detachably connecting the two parts of the twopart shaft together, a resilient and cranked connection between thedriving shaft and the work shaft for transmitting motion from one shaftto the other and for yieldingly holding the clutch members in engagementwith each other, and means for disengaging one clutch member from theother.

3. A washing machine mechanism, comprising a work shaft, a two partdriving shaft extending at an angle with relation thereto. clutchmembers operatively and detachably connecting the two parts of the twopart shaft together, a resilient and cranked connection between thedriving shaft and the work shaft for transmitting motion from one shaftto the other and for yieldingly holding the clutch members in engagementwith each other, and a wedge shaped member controlling the disengagementof one of the clutch, members from the other.

4. A washing machine mechanism, comprising a work shaft, a two partdriving shaft extending at an angle with relation thereto, one of saidshaft parts having an endwise movement, clutch members mounted on theadjacent ends of the two part shaft to operatively and detachablyconnect the shaft ends together, a resilient and cranked con nectionbetween the endwise movable driving shaft part and the work shaft fortransmitting a rotary movement of the driving shaft to a reciprocal androcking movement of the work shaft and to also maintain the clutchmembers in engagement with each other, and means for disengaging oneclutch member from the other.

5. A washing machine mechanism, com-. prising a work shaft, a two partdriving shaft extending at an angle with relation thereto, one of saidshaft parts having an endwise movement, clutch members mounted on theadjacent ends of the two part shaft to operatively and detachablyconnect the shaft ends together, a resilient and cranked connectionbetween the endwise movable driving shaft part and the work shaft fortransmitting a rotary movement of the driving shaft-to a reciprocal androcking movement of the work shaft and to also maintain the clutchmembers in engagement with each other, and a wedge shaped membercontrolling the disengagement of one of the clutch members from theother.

6. A washing machine mechanism, comprising a work shaft, a two partdriving shaft extending at an angle with relation thereto, one of saidshaft parts having an endwise movement, clutch members mounted on theadjacent ends of the two part shaft to operatively and detachablyconnect the shaft ends together, a resilient and cranked connectionbetween t? endwise movable driving shaft part and the work shaft fortransmitting a rotary movement of the driving shaft to a reciprocal androcking movement of the work shaft and to also maintain the clutchmembers in engagement with each other, and a reciprocal controllingmember having a wedge shaped portion for moving the endwise movable shafpart endwise to disengage one clutch member from the other.

7. A washing machine mechanism, comprising a vertically extending workshaft having an arm projecting therefrom, a two part horizontallyextending drive shaft, one of said shaft parts having an endwisemovement and a shouldered portion, clutch members mounted on theadjacent end portions of the shaftends to operatively and detachablyconnect the shaft ends together, a resilient and cranked connectionbetween the endwise movable shaft part and the work shaft arm fortransmitting a rotary movement of the drive shaft to a reciprocal androcking movement of the work shaft and to also maintain the clutchmembers in engagement with each other, and means for engaging theshouldered portion of the shaft part to disengage one clutch member fromthe other.

8. A washing machine mechanism, comprising a vertically extending workshaft having an arm projecting therefrom, a two part horizontallyextending drive shaft, one of said shaft parts having an endwisemovement and a shouldered portion, clutch members mounted on theadjacent end portions of the shaft ends to operatively and detachablyconnect the shaft ends together, a resilient and cranked connectionbetween the endwise movable shaft part and the work shaft arm fortransmitting a rotary movement of the drive shaft to a reciprocal androcking movement of the work shaft and to also maintain the clutchmembers in engagement with each other, and a reciprocal controllingmember having a wedge shaped portion which engages the shoulder of theendwise movable shaft partto discngageone clutch member from the other.

9. A washing machine mechanism, comprising a support having a hingedmember, a bearing bracket mounted on the support, a bearing bracketmounted on the hinged member and movable with said hinged member, adriving shaft section journaled in the support bearing, a driving shaftsection journaled and endwise movably mounted in the hinged memberbearing, clutch members mounted on the adjacent end portions of theshaft ends, a work shaft extending through the hinged member and havinga projecting arm, a resilient and cranked connection between the endwisemovable shaft section and the work shaft arm for imparting a reciprocaland rocking movement to the Work shaft and to hold the clutch membersyieldingly in engagement with each other, and means for disengaging oneclutch member from the other to permit the moveof the shaft ends, a workshaft extending through the hinged member and having a pro ecting arm, aresilient and cranked connection between the endwise movable shaftsection and the work shaft arm for imparting a reciprocal and rockingmovement to the work shaft and to hold the clutch members yieldingly inengagement with each 0ther, a controlling member support extendingadjacent the endwise movable shaft section, a controllingigmemberslidably carried tions of-the shaft ends to permit movement of thehinged member when the clutch members are disengaged by an endwisemovement of one of the clutch members, a pounder shaft carried by thehinged member and having a resilient and cranked connection with thedriving shaft for transmitting motion from one shaft to the other andfor maintaining the clutch members in engagement with each other, andmeans for moving one of the clutch members endwise to permit movementofthe hinged member.

12. A washing machine mechanism, comprising a support having a hingedmember, a two part driving shaft mounted on the support and the hingedmember, clutch members having tapered rectangular engaging portionsmounted on the adjacent end portions of the shaft ends to permitmovement of the hinged'member when the clutch memting motion from oneshaft to the other and for maintaining the clutch members in engagementwith each other, and means for moving one of the clutch members endwiseto permit movement of the hinged member.

13. A washing machine mechanism, comprising in part, a Work shaft havinga projecting arm, a drive shaft extending at an angle thereto, an armfixedly mounted on one end of the drive shaft, another arm pivotallymounted on the end portion of the drive shaft and having a ball andsocket connection with the arm of the work shaft, and a yielding meansinterposed between the two arms of the drive shaft.

14. A washing machine mechanism,-comprising in part, a Work shaft havinga pro-- jecting arm, a drive shaft extending at an angle thereto, an armfixedly mounted on one end of the drive shaft, another arm pivotallymounted on the end portion of the drive shaft and having a ball andsocket connection with the arm of the-work shaft, and a yielding meansinterposed between the two arms of the drive shaft, for main taining thepivoted arm operatively connected to the work shaft arm and to impart anendwise yielding tendency to the drive shaft.

15. A washing machine mechanism, comprising in part, a work shaft havinga projecting arm with a spherical end, a drive shaft extending atanangle thereto, an arm fixedly mounted on one end of the drive shaft,another arm pivotally mounted on the drive shaft end between the fixedlyconnected arm and the work shaft arm and having a socket into which thespherical end of the work shaft arm extends, and a coiled springinterposed between the pivoted arm and the fixedly connected arm.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

HERMAN G. DOMAN.

